Series 5, Episode 2 - "The Beast Below"

pixelburp

Thought I would start up a thread for the second episode in preparation for tomorrow

So now that we got the establishing episode / regeneration out of the way, it should be a better story to get a sense of where the season is heading and what kind of arc & tone to expect. Hopefully it'll still be as fun though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvISeKq-wDo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0X1pD4QHnc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDB8hs_ay5g

doctorwhogirl

Superb work Pixel! Will be back later to add to thread! Really nice little snippets on all some future episodes in DWM this month, including this one!

Doctor DooM

win win winnity win win.


What was with all the star wars references?

Stark

Not bad. The smilers were a bit of a let down though.

Next week: Daleks. Eugh.

thusspakeblixa

That was alright.

It was interesting that Moffat did what was essentially a twist on The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas

The Star Wars references were weird indeed.

Ricosruffneck

i liked it, especially when smith went off on one when Amy made a decision for him.

he's very quirky..and jumpy (but not DT jumpy)

Think he's a keeper. Sorry Dave tennant.


Swwawwaaaeeeeeeeeettttt!!!

better than Geronimo anyday.

Ricosruffneck

But i don't like how the Daleks are going to be crammed into a one episode story.

I mean 'come on', these guys are supposed to be a nemesis of the doctor. The Cybermen seem more threatening now from the air time they've been getting these days.

And we need more sadistic Daleks, these guys will be all cuddly in their union jack camouflage suits.

Stark

The Doctor could have saved a lot of hassle btw if he'd simply flown under the spaceship in the Tardis

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Good episode... Nice to see the series is headed in a much darker direction with Moffat in charge...

nucking futs

I thought it was a bit meh to be honest, not terrible but not great, I thought Eleventh Hour was much better

Doctor DooM wrote: »

What was with all the star wars references?

I have to be honest, I didn't spot any of these

Doctor DooM

nucking futs wrote: »

I thought it was a bit meh to be honest, not terrible but not great, I thought Eleventh Hour was much better

I have to be honest, I didn't spot any of these

Well, the key dudes where dressed like jedi, the queen said "help us Doctor, you're our only hope" ala certain female royalty in a new hope, and we had a wet refuse collection scene...

bazkennedy

nucking futs wrote: »

I have to be honest, I didn't spot any of these

Me neither

Busi_Girl08

I really like the relationship that's being built up between Amy and the Doctor.

I also like seeing this flawed,imperfect side of the Doctor, and the fact that Amy did more than look around in awe :P

I really liked the ending. Although there still were some unanswered questions, I really liked the whole parallel of

the Doctor and the SpaceWhale (or whatever it's called )

Overall...8.5/10. Not as good as last week, but still pretty good. A great Doctor who has very quickly found his feet, and a companion I am quickly warming to.

Hell, I'm even starting to like the new opening titles

Now, everybody...

Say 'WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Doctor DooM

There was a line in the whales mouth... "there' will not be much dignity in this" or the like.


My favourite line in the new series so far.

Busi_Girl08

Doctor DooM wrote: »

There was a line in the whales mouth... "there' will not be much dignity in this" or the like.


My favourite line in the new series so far.

*ahem* "This isn't going to be big on dignity.....GERONIMOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

Killer_banana

Not the best story but not the worst. It dragged a bit for me but liked the 'Virgin Queen' reference and it delivered in the end. The smilers seemed a bit irrelevant to me, like they were just there to be menacing and didn't do anything to advance the plot. I think the ending was good, didn't like the idea of the 'space whale' personally but wasn't the worst idea. I liked when the doctor got angry with Amy and I like how she figured out what to do. I also like the scene at the window. The acting from both Amy and Matt was stellar, saved the episode IMO.

Basically, good beginning and end, middle dragged, not my favourite story idea but handled well with writing both appealing to children and adults and with brilliant acting. (Wow even my sum-up lines are long and rambling).

Oh also, liked the crack reference at the end but was far too obvious and I hope they don't have one every episode because that's just overkill rather than foreshadowing.

Busi_Girl08

Just one thing.

Is this companion going to make a habit of being rendered unconscious?
She was KOed twice tonight, once last week...

It seems to be a big thing on Doctor Who, companions/occasionally the Doctor being knocked out in one way or another nearly every episode.

Just an observation

rock chic

Stark wrote: »

Not bad. The smilers were a bit of a let down though.

Next week: Daleks. Eugh.

daleks arrrrrgghhhhhhhhhhh they terrify me ever since i was a kid im worse now since they can hover :eek:

Doctor DooM

Busi_Girl08 wrote: »

Just one thing.

Is this companion going to make a habit of being rendered unconscious?
She was KOed twice tonight, once last week...

It seems to be a big thing on Doctor Who, companions/occasionally the Doctor being knocked out in one way or another nearly every episode.

Just an observation

It's just an easy way to change scene.

nucking futs

Killer_banana wrote: »

Oh also, liked the crack reference at the end but was far too obvious and I hope they don't have one every episode because that's just overkill rather than foreshadowing.

Wait, I missed that as well, definately have to re-watch it so

BlitzKrieg

I liked it for the most part.


good creepy opening, nice motif of the set, the plot was fine for the most part (I was expecting torchwood honestly so the twist with the stranger in the mask was actually very good I thought) and while I worked out most of the plot twists before hand I liked how it twist and turned.

My only issue is there seems to be a craclk (to keep with the series theme) in the plot. The smilers are never really explained. Yes its a process thats been repeated a 100 times and they must commit a great horror to keep the secret, but its never explained who justified and developed the idea of half robot/half human enforcers who dictate things to everyone. Really the episode needed a 3rd side who probably would have been antagonistic then the two main issues.

On next week, looks interesting enough I am looking forward to the battle of britain in space bit and i'm glad they didnt opt for the obvious daleks with nazi's role. Though I am curious which dalek *empire* is going to be restored, we have season 1's emporer, season 2/3 cult of skaro and season 4 davros. which one is it gonna be?

Overall a solid 7/10, reminded me alot of gridlock from season 3, so i'm happy.

BlitzKrieg

nucking futs wrote: »

Wait, I missed that as well, definately have to re-watch it so

right at the end on the side of the ship there's a big white crack

nucking futs

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

My only issue is there seems to be a craclk (to keep with the series theme) in the plot. The smilers are never really explained. Yes its a process thats been repeated a 100 times and they must commit a great horror to keep the secret, but its never explained who justified and developed the idea of half robot/half human enforcers who dictate things to everyone. Really the episode needed a 3rd side who probably would have been antagonistic then the two main issues.

I didn't like that they never explained how the ones in the booth had three faces when they clearly turned 180 degrees to show another face, i.e. logic says there should be two. Don't get me wrong, I like not knowing everything, but things like that annoy me.

Killer_banana

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

its never explained who justified and developed the idea of half robot/half human enforcers who dictate things to everyone.

It wasn't the clearest but how interpreted was the Queen gave the order to develop them and then chose to forget along with everything else. I'm not sure though. I need to re-watch the episode 'cause there are a few things I find confusing.

Oh, meant to ask earlier, anyone know why the time was different from last week and is going to be different again next week?

nucking futs

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

right at the end on the side of the ship there's a big white crack

Oh that one yeah, I remember now, I thought he meant someone actually mentioned a crack in time. Thanks for that

pixelburp

Well I enjoyed it, even if it was a typical second episode (the first trip / mission, where we get to know the Doctor a bit more, particularly from Amy's point of view, and that it won't all be sweetness and light). Again, I loved the back & forth between Amy and the Doctor, and there were some great quotables: "What are going to do?" "What I always do, stay out of trouble........ badly" The generally darker tone was also far more evident this time around

Having said that, I didn't like the Smilers. The world-building in general was a bit rubbish tbh: it just seemed to be some an odd mix of stereotypical British icons, mixed with those weird Smilers. What was the point of them anyway? The story never made it clear who or what they were. Why wasn't there a more normal police force - instead we got these strange robots? "Bwah?" is all I can say!

A bit on the fence about next week's story - Le sigh that it's the Daleks, who are seriously out-staying their welcome - but the concept sounds intriguing.

nucking futs

Killer_banana wrote: »

Oh, meant to ask earlier, anyone know why the time was different from last week and is going to be different again next week?

Can't tell you why, but next week's starts at 6.30pm

BlitzKrieg

actually looking at it again, I get the feeling the smilers/city design is coming from someone who played a bit too much bioshock 1/2 and didnt have the budget for the art deco

Doctor DooM

Killer_banana wrote: »

It wasn't the clearest but how interpreted was the Queen gave the order to develop them and then chose to forget along with everything else. I'm not sure though. I need to re-watch the episode 'cause there are a few things I find confusing.

Oh, meant to ask earlier, anyone know why the time was different from last week and is going to be different again next week?

That's been going on since the new series started. You should listen to them ranting about the time changes on the Podshock podcast (an interesting listen if you want to spend more time on Dr Who in any case!)

K-9

Stark wrote: »

The Doctor could have saved a lot of hassle btw if he'd simply flown under the spaceship in the Tardis

I didn't spot that.

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

I liked it for the most part.


good creepy opening, nice motif of the set, the plot was fine for the most part (I was expecting torchwood honestly so the twist with the stranger in the mask was actually very good I thought) and while I worked out most of the plot twists before hand I liked how it twist and turned.

My only issue is there seems to be a craclk (to keep with the series theme) in the plot. The smilers are never really explained. Yes its a process thats been repeated a 100 times and they must commit a great horror to keep the secret, but its never explained who justified and developed the idea of half robot/half human enforcers who dictate things to everyone. Really the episode needed a 3rd side who probably would have been antagonistic then the two main issues.

On next week, looks interesting enough I am looking forward to the battle of britain in space bit and i'm glad they didnt opt for the obvious daleks with nazi's role. Though I am curious which dalek *empire* is going to be restored, we have season 1's emporer, season 2/3 cult of skaro and season 4 davros. which one is it gonna be?

Overall a solid 7/10, reminded me alot of gridlock from season 3, so i'm happy.

Shouted out "she forgot" a few times.

Good point on the Smilers. I suppose its an element of the paranoia and fits with an enforcer, keeping tabs on the citizens. Will also influence their decision to forget or not.

Thought the ending was a little too cutesy, then again it was similar to Amy packing her suitcase, the beast likes children and means no harm, so emotional in that respect.

Love the Churchill twist but unfortunately he isn't Brendan Gleeson and may suffer because of that!

Overall, 6.5/10, not bad. .5 lost because Amy wasn't in a uniform, would have been 1 point except for the Nightie!

Killer_banana

Killer_banana wrote: »

Oh, meant to ask earlier, anyone know why the time was different from last week and is going to be different again next week?

Wibbly wobbly timey wimey apparently.

deman

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

right at the end on the side of the ship there's a big white crack

Why is this a spoiler???? It was in the episode and not some future programme!!

THIS IS NOT A SPOILER!!!

Doctor DooM

deman wrote: »

Why is this a spoiler???? It was in the episode and not some future programme!!

THIS IS NOT A SPOILER!!!

Man you must really hate spoilers.

I do hope we're not getting 1 reference per episode. That's gonna feel tacked on really quickly.

Pittens

THIS IS NOT A SPOILER!!!

Hush now.... hush. The nasty man did use a spoiler, incorrectly, yes he did. Just dont let it hurt you.


there, there.

diddums.

Pittens

Good episode, love the new characters.

David who?

Billie what now?

Doctor DooM

Pittens wrote: »

Good episode, love the new characters.

David who?

Billie what now?

There's certainly an air of... competence about series Fnarg that wasn't there before.

Not saying that there wasn't brilliant episodes before, there was- it's just I now have the feeling we won't have the lows we did before.

pixelburp

Doctor DooM wrote: »

There's certainly an air of... competence about series Fnarg that wasn't there before.

Not saying that there wasn't brilliant episodes before, there was- it's just I now have the feeling we won't have the lows we did before.

Ah now I'd still say there'll be rubbish episodes, they'll just be rubbish for other reasons, rather than just being cringe-inducing camp fests of bad plotting and scripting by RTD

doctorwhogirl

Do you know at times I really felt this could be from the pen of RTD... I dunno why, just moments of being slapped in the face. I liked the star whale analogy, but then I was slapped in the face with it repeatedly!

"Does that remind you of anyone Doctor?"
"You're the star whale!"
"Kind and old"
"Have you all got that now?"
"He's like the star whale except time lord"
"Last of his kind"
"It's metaphor... Would you like me to explain again?"

Anyway generally good episode. Smilers weren't as scary as I first though but thoroughly enjoyed it.

Agree that I hope there won't be a crack lurking in every episode.

deman

Actually the idea of a creature floating through space carrying a civilization on its back sounds awfully familiar.



Good episode though even if I don't understand the smilies and why they sent "bad boy" Timmy under at the start.

8/10

BlitzKrieg

deman wrote: »

Why is this a spoiler???? It was in the episode and not some future programme!!

THIS IS NOT A SPOILER!!!

There's no *spoiler warning* in the thread title.

urgo people who may not have watched the episode yet may read this thread and have things spoilt.

and as much as you may bitch at me for using spoiler tags, I will continue to use them when talking specific details (my original sum up was purposely vague for that very reason) until someone puts up *spoilers within* on the title because if I dont I will equally have some moany c*nt bitch to me about not using them.

catch 22

Wibbs

deman wrote: »

Actually the idea of a creature floating through space carrying a civilization on its back sounds awfully familiar.



Good episode though even if I don't understand the smilies and why they sent "bad boy" Timmy under at the start.

8/10

The hindus got there waaaaaay before pratchet

I thought this one was OK. Felt very short for some reason. Music and title sequence is still crap IMH. The new Doctor is OK, but I dunno as yet he doesnt own it for me. Doesnt have the range so far again IMHO. Next week shall be interesting anyway.

nucking futs

Wibbs wrote: »

Felt very short for some reason

Maybe because it was 20 minutes shorter than last week?

pixelburp

Wibbs wrote: »

Doesnt have the range so far again IMHO. Next week shall be interesting anyway.

I disagree, I think Smith has shown a decent amount of range so far - the difference this time is that his style of acting (and the style of writing) doesn't require flicked-switch emotions. Tennant, no harm to him, was a see-saw going from manic exuberance to shouty sulks in the space of a couple of scenes. Smith seems to be playing it all a bit more flippantly casual

Busi_Girl08

^ Agreed. Smith is way more subtle than Tennant was. He was good, don't get me wrong, but this is a nice break from the manic bug-eyes, gritted teeth and heavy breathing.



:pac:

Smith's "No HUMAN answers to me, TODAY!!" gave me chills. I actually felt like I was being told off by a teacher at school when I was watching it.

Killer_banana

Busi_Girl08 wrote: »

^ Agreed. Smith is way more subtle than Tennant was. He was good, don't get me wrong, but this is a nice break from the manic bug-eyes, gritted teeth and heavy breathing.

Tennant's emotions did flip pretty quickly and he did overact at times but in some situations I think it was more to do with script. I've seen him in other things and his acting has been a lot more subtle.

Matt's Doctor is a lot less emotional though. He's very relaxed and easy-going. Matt plays him wonderfully. (which I've already said so I'll shush now)

Wibbs

pixelburp wrote: »

I disagree, I think Smith has shown a decent amount of range so far - the difference this time is that his style of acting (and the style of writing) doesn't require flicked-switch emotions. Tennant, no harm to him, was a see-saw going from manic exuberance to shouty sulks in the space of a couple of scenes. Smith seems to be playing it all a bit more flippantly casual

Maybe its cos Tom Baker was "my" doctor so.... I guess I prefer the manic, unpredictable emotional flipping? Seems less human in a way. Matt smith seems too human to me? I dont believe him so much when he gets all "knowing" and alien. Not so far either, but he doesnt disagree with me as much as I would have thought. Then again maybe its an age thing. I'm more the previous versions of the Doctor's age so it could be I just dont take him as seriously because of that?

Killer_banana wrote:

Tennant's emotions did flip pretty quickly and he did overact at times but in some situations I think it was more to do with script. I've seen him in other things and his acting has been a lot more subtle.

I agree, much more to do with script(and direction) I reckon. Tennant is a very very good actor. Ive seen a few Hamlets and its a bitch of a role full of nuance and his was damned impressive. Now if Shakespeare did a Who script.... Actually maybe Beckett would be an interesting choice

ixoy

I quite liked this, even if there's a bit too many unanswered questions as pointed out above. Moffat still brings the creepy!

Main thing here is that I'm really liking what I see of Matt Smith's Doctor so far. It's so much more restrained, reminding me a little of Peter Davison's Doctor who also was much more toned down than his manic predecessor and also an angrier Doctor (Matt Smith delivered the human line very well). It was good to see him throw Amy into the storyline in the old style of companions but also have to adjust to her.

Jessibelle

ixoy wrote: »

It's so much more restrained, reminding me a little of Peter Davison's Doctor who also was much more toned down than his manic predecessor and also an angrier Doctor

He reminds me ALOT of Peter Davison, both physically and performance wise I have to say. That aside, I'm liking him alot, and I've warmed to him a lot quicker than any previous incarnation, other than Tom Baker, but then Baker was the one that hooked and reeled me in

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Just re-watched this episode and I can now safely say after 2 episodes, that in my eyes Smith has already surpassed his predecessor... Don't get me wrong, I liked Tennant, but I really like Smith...
And as for the episode - when you give it a second look, its much better than the initial reaction after the first viewing... It had a lot of depth to it and was better than a couple of the season finales of the RTD era...
And Gillan is easily the best companion of the new series by far...

Basically Moffat, Smith and Gillan get all thumbs up from me... Roll on next week...

iguana

doctorwhogirl wrote: »

"Does that remind you of anyone Doctor?"
"You're the star whale!"
"Kind and old"
"Have you all got that now?"
"He's like the star whale except time lord"
"Last of his kind"
"It's metaphor... Would you like me to explain again?"

Oh god yes. And just before that when Amy was working it out and they kept playing bits of earier in the episode.

"Our children were screaming"
"He appeared like a miracle"
"You do nothing until you see a child crying"
"Our children were screaming"
"Until you see a child crying"
"Screaming - a miracle"
"The last one"
"The last of his kind"
"Until you see a child crying"
"Our children were screaming"

Over and over and over. I felt like screaming, "yes I remember, all this happened in the last 40 minutes!":rolleyes: It was like last weeks awful remembering effect. Great for those with ADD, it'll get old fast for everyone else.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

ixoy wrote: »

also an angrier Doctor (Matt Smith delivered the human line very well).

really? my eyes nearly rolled out of their sockets at how poorly that came out. I didn't get 'anger' from him at all in that scene, or barely contained rage or anything other than a pretty flat performance